Syracuse, N.Y. — Throughout the spring, Tim Daoust shuffled his line, and then shuffled it again. The Syracuse defensive line coach has focused on finding the ideal combination of players since losing unquestioned leader Jay Bromley to graduation, and the NFL draft.

And as the Orange continues to chug through summer workouts, some progress has been made. But there will undoubtedly be playing time to be earned during training camp.

"We really want to get the four best players on the field and don't get handcuffed by their position titles," Daoust said on Tuesday.

Syracuse returns three starters to its defensive line — defensive tackle Eric Crume, who is rehabbing from minor left knee surgery, and defensive ends Robert Welsh and Micah Robinson. Defensive tackle Marcus Coleman lined up with the first teamers in Bromley's stead during the spring while Robinson and defensive ends Isaiah Johnson and Ron Thompson saw snaps there as well.

On Tuesday, Daoust said the 6-foot-4, 276-pound Johnson will definitely see time this season at defensive tackle.

"A kid that will be getting more action inside this year than he's used to is Isaiah Johnson," Daoust said. "We need to get him on the field more because he has the ability to help us out."

Daoust also expects Robinson to see some snaps inside, something Robinson said he has embraced.

Though he only played inside a little bit in high school, Robinson thinks he's done well to get acclimated. He also emphasized the importance of being able to play two positions at the next level.

"The hardest part of playing defensive tackle is just the double teams," Robinson said. "Outside of that it's basic football. But the double teams change everything when you're down there."

Thompson, a converted tight end, likely fits the mold as an outside rusher, however. And the time Johnson and Robinson spend at defensive tackle opens room for him to see the field more at defensive end.

During an interview in the spring, Daoust said Thompson could be the most successful player in the group this season. Crume backed up some of those expectations on Tuesday, noting Thompson's quick feet and hips.

"I think he's going to excel," Crume said. "He just had to get a year under his belt and really transition. Playing defensive line, it's a war, a physical game every play.

"I just think he really bought into the process. Sometimes he used to be a complaining guy. Now he doesn't complain at all. He just comes to work."

Daoust said by the time the season starts he'd like to have a rotation with four defensive tackles and four defensive ends.

Defensive ends Donnie Simmons and Trevon Trejo will likely compete for snaps after Welsh, Robinson, Thompson and Johnson. The two will also be benefactors of the snaps Robinson and Johnson see in the middle.

At defensive tackle, Ryan Sloan and Wayne Williams are likely the next two in line after Crume and Coleman.

Daoust also said that incoming freshmen Chris Slayton, Kayton Samuels and Jalen Harvey will also be given every opportunity to work their way onto the field.

Said Daoust: "All freshmen, I tell them to prepare to come in and play, and I think it changes the way they approach things."